By Sabrath Ayisha
Edited by Hannaan Fuad
Credit: The Muslim Vibe
Maulidur Rasul, which is known as the birthday of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) all over the world, has an obvious importance for Muslims. A time to remember the life, teachings, and character of the last prophet in Islam. The celebrations differ in each culture, but the unifying theme is love and respect for a man who has served as a beacon of an example to more than a billion people.
Early Life of Prophet Muhammad
In 570 CE, Prophet Muhammad was born in Mecca from the noble tribe of Quraysh. Abdullah, his father, died before he was born, and when he was only six years old, his mother Aminah passed away. His guarded and caring nature was born out of losing his parents early, which evolved into compassion, a drive for justice, and never yielding to hardship.
Muhammad was raised by his grandfather and uncle (Abdul Muttalib and Abu Talib, respectively) when he was a kid. From the very beginning of his life, he was popular for being an honest person, which was why people of Mecca called him al-Amin (the trustworthy). He worked as a merchant, with his straightforward honesty and did much to establish respect for uprightness.
Revelation and Prophethood
At the age of 40, during one of his meditative retreats in the Cave of Hira, Muhammad received his first revelation from Allah through the Angel Jibreel. This marked the beginning of his work as the last messenger of Islam. Over the next 23 years, successively, Prophet Muhammad was to receive a series of revelations that constitute the Holy Quran, the central religious book of Islam.
The people of Mecca, upon the first arrival of Islam's message, were so deeply ingrained in the habitual practice of idolatry, tribalism, and other vices inclusive of social injustice. Muhammad's call for monotheism and equality that was coupled with his call for social reformation was viewed by them as a threat to the conventional scheme of things. Severe persecution did not , however, deter Prophet Muhammad from informing the people about Islam.
Migration to Medina and the Formation of the Muslim Community
In 622 CE, due to growing hostility in Mecca, Muhammad and his adherents migrated to Yathrib, later called Medina. This event is known as the Hijra and constitutes a very important milestone in Islamic history; it was then that the Islamic calendar began. In Medina, Prophet Muhammad played not only the role of the spiritual leader but also that of statesman; he steered the city's pluralistic population through a new constitution that promised the protection of various religious and ethnic groups.
He displayed his sense of justice, equality, and compassion in Medina when he ended the feuds between the tribes and established peace amongst them. He also guaranteed protection of women’s rights, as well as the orphan and the poor. His life in Medina also witnessed the consolidation of the Muslim Community (Ummah) because the number of tribes and individuals accepting Islam was growing.
The Final Years and Legacy
Prophet Muhammad’s mission was completed when, at the age of 63, he delivered his final sermon during the Farewell Pilgrimage in 632 CE. In this sermon, he told everyone of the essence of Islam, reminding them to practise goodness towards one another, to be respectful towards women, and to uphold justice. He also never failed to remind the people of Islam that there was only one brotherhood of Muslims—no distinction between Arabs and non-Arabs—and that in the sight of God, piety alone was an index of superiority.
After a few days, upon his return to Medina, Prophet Muhammad finally passed away. It was one of those moments when the death of a leader created an outrage of sorrow among the people, but his teachings and example continue to inspire and guide Muslims to this very day. The day of his birth is exactly the same as the day he was born, which is 12 Rabi’ al-Awal.
Therefore, Mawlidur Rasul is an occasion to be grateful for the life and teachings of the Prophet Muhammad, whose character, humility, and dedication to Allah have continued to resound throughout the ages. His life is a model of mercy, compassion, and justice; his message is a guiding light to millions of Muslims around the world. His biography recited, prayers delivered, acts of charity extended—all these were the ways in which Muslims spoke of a prophet who transformed the world with the message of peace and unity.
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